The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating the online sale of a drug meant for people with diabetes but allegedly used by others as a weight loss treatment.
A doctor has a warning for those who use it even if they do not have diabetes.
In less than a year of using the drug Ozempic, content creator Lexi Ortanez has lost 18 kilograms.
However, she clarified she is not using ozempic to lose weight but to lower her blood sugar.
She was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, so the doctor prescribed it for her.
But her problem, as well as her mother, who also has Type 2 diabetes, is its thin supply in the market.
Lexi is worried because they have to inject Ozempic next week, but so far, she hasn’t bought anything.
According to the FDA, they approved Ozempic for those with type 2 diabetes and not as a weight loss treatment.
According to Atty. Pamela Sevilla, FDA spokesperson, “the product Ozempic is registered with the FDA with the indication of treatment for Type 2 diabetes and with that it is also approved by the FDA as a prescription drug.”
FDA investigating online sales of Ozempic
The FDA is also concerned about its sale online without a prescription.
It is said that the FDA’s investigation has begun in relation to this, although they admitted that it is difficult to identify those who sell it online, especially on social media platforms, which is why they are said to have asked for help from the NBI and CIDG.
According to Sevilla, “we have to figure out if these are the establishments with license to operate from FDA or these are private persons who do not have a license to operate with FDA. So with that, we start the investigation by figuring out where the products are spreading first.”
The FDA reminds the public to be careful with the health products they use and to report to ereport@fda.gov.ph prescription drugs that are sold illegally online.
It is said that among its serious side effects is the presence of thyroid tumors and pancreatitis. Apart from this, vomiting and nausea.
People with diabetes who run out of medicine are also at risk
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